Viking Star Review

5.0 / 5.0
2,050 reviews

Viking Star, A Real Home Run!

Review for the Baltic Sea Cruise on Viking Star
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Navydavey
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: May 2015

We signed up for the inaugural cruise of the Viking Star Viking Homelands in August of 2013, knowing full well that it would be two years before we actually sailed. We also knew that this was Viking's first venture into ocean cruising, but since we enjoyed their river cruises, we would try out their first ocean liner. We enjoy cruising on the smaller ships that are able to get into the smaller ports away from the mega ocean liners, that are geared toward English speaking customers, and have no amenities for children. While our cruise was excellent, our prearranged Viking air was terrible. We flew over and back on Icelandic Air and there were no meals or snacks offered that you didn't have to pay for. We paid $1600.00 each for a ticket we could have bought for $379.00. I guess the transfers from the airport to the hotel and hotel to ship were really expensive.

We started our trip with a three-day pre-cruise stay in Stockholm, Sweden. We stayed at the Radisson Blu Waterfront hotel which was conveniently located to downtown, the railroad station, and bus routes. The hotel was one of three Radisson Blu hotels and was very modern in its style and conveniences. The room was very comfortable and spacious. The breakfast that was provided to us each morning had a wide variety of selections that could accommodate the most picky of people. The local restaurants while we were out exploring Stockholm offered all the usual staples (McDonalds, KFC, etc), as well as local cuisine. The highlights for Stockholm had to be our visit to the Ice Bar. If you plan to attend, I recommend that you make your reservations online, prior to your arrival in Stockholm. You should also take the opportunity to walk through the open markets that you find in the several squares throughout the city.

The ship is beautifully enhanced. The common areas are adorned with rich Viking history and motif. The handrails are covered in leather and make it pleasant to your hand as you grip the rail on your way up and down the stairs to the food. The food was excellent no matter where you ate. We tried all of the dining areas while we were on board and found the food consistently excellent. The elevators are smooth and quiet. I will say this, the view on the inboard elevator was interesting and there was more room. There are no clocks or other tacky indicators as to the time, date, or day of the week in them to remind you of how quickly your trip is coming to an end. The common areas from the lounges to the pool areas were always impeccable. There was always someone walking around straightening things up, or wiping down tables and placing new towels. The retractable cover over the main pool provided a comfortable swim even on the wettest and coldest days. The infinity pool on the rear of the ship provided an excellent way to enjoy the sunny afternoon and watch as you sailed between ports.

Cabin Review

Cabin Deluxe Veranda

Our cabin was comfortable and spacious. The bed was very comfortable and we enjoyed a good night's sleep each and every night we were onboard. The rooms all have balconies, so when you open the room darkening curtains, it immediately gives you the impression of a much larger space. The balconies also allow you to sit and watch the hustle and bustle of the port and the returning guests from their excursions. The television selection was adequate. I do wish that the television had been mounted on a swing arm allowing you to sit on the sofa and watch the television. The way it is currently mounted allows only good viewing from the bed. There also is no music channel on the television. I think this might have been an oversight since they have a music channel on the longships.

The bathroom was very large and you didn't bump into the bulkheads while using the toilet or taking a shower. There was always plenty of hot water and pressure in the shower no matter the time of day. The amenities provided were of good quality and appreciated.

Our cabin steward, as well as the others we met during our stay, were excellent. Our room was always clean, no matter when we came in. There were always clean towels and any remainders from room service were quickly removed. Speaking of room service, there is a full menu available to choose from, 24 hours per day for those of us that needed a little nourishment before we went to breakfast, lunch, dinner, or afternoon tea! It was always delivered on time, hot, and tasted excellent.

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